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District 34

District 34

34th District of Texas
The 34th Congressional District of Texas is a brand new district, formed when the 2010 Census showed that the population in Texas increased enough to require four new seats in the U.S House of Representatives. Filemon Vela is the first Member to represent the 34th District.

Texas 34 encompasses all or part of 11 counties running from Cameron and Hidalgo Counties on the U.S.-Mexico border up to Gonzales County more than 250 miles to the north, crossing rural areas with agriculture that produces $2.6 billion annually for the local economy. This diverse district includes vibrant border culture, wildlife, tourism, trade, energy production, military facilities.

The largest city in the 34th District is Brownsville which is located directly across the Rio Grande River from Matamoras, Mexico. Border culture is celebrated every year at the annual Charro Days Fiesta where the two cities pay homage to their bi-national heritage. Twenty miles to the Northwest is the City of Harlingen, which sits at the strategic intersection of I-69 and I-2. Harlingen's original economy was entirely based on agricultural. Today, Harlingen has diversified but the city still recognizes its heritage as it celebrates the Nation’s First Bail of Cotton.

Strategically located with Mexico to the South and the Gulf of Mexico to the East, Cameron and Hidalgo Counties are of national importance when considering that last year alone, U.S. trade with Mexico reached $500 billion and supported U.S. six million jobs.

Energy production continues to grow in this district. The Eagle Ford Shale, which includes several counties in Texas 34 (Bee, Goliad, DeWitt and Gonzales ), is one of the largest oil and gas developments in the world. Even in counties not directly in the shale play are reaping benefits from the activity there, as evidenced by the growth of cities like Alice in Jim Wells County. And windmills spin throughout Willacy, Kenedy, and San Patricio Counties, producing renewable energy for the people of South Texas.

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
The 34th District of Texas is home to world class universities and colleges -- with exciting expansion on the way. The University of Texas Brownsville will be merging with the University of Texas Pan American and a new medical school will open in the coming years.